Balham comic and Grumpy Old Men star Arthur Smith will be kicking off a brand new comedy night in Earlsfield tomorrow night.

Cracking Comedy is being launched at TARA Studio and, should Friday be a success, is planned to be a monthly night with some top performers from around the UK as well as new emerging talent coming to the venue.

The first night is a perfect example of this mix.

Smith is well-known to just about everyone following his appearances on Grumpy Old Men and Radio Four's Loose Ends and is currently on a UK tour.

He is being supported by character comedian Jo Selby, winner of London Fringe New Comedy Award 2009, Jimmy McGhie, who reached the final of the prestigious So You Think You're Funny at the Edinburgh Festival after just 10 gigs, and Tom Deacon, winner of Chortle's Student Comedian in 2007 and presenter of 5:19, a brand new, youth orientated daily show for BBC Switch.

Cracking Comedy, TARA Studio, Garratt Lane, October 9, 8.30pm, £10.Call 020 8333 4457 or visit tara-arts.com.

Elsewhere in the borough this week:

Comedy Tree , Putney (£6 to £20, call 020 8549 9790 or visit thecomedytree.com) Friday, October 9 - Scott Capurro, Zoe Lyons and Kevin Precious. Tom Price is MC.

Saturday, October 10 - Markus Birdman, Holly Walsh and Mark Walker. Jim Smallman is MC.

Banana Cabaret , Balham (£10 to £16, call 020 8682 8940 or visit bananacabaret.co.uk) Friday, October 9 - Adam Bloom, Otis Cannelloni and George Rygold.

Saturday, October 10 - Terry Alderton, Adam Bloom, Otis Cannelloni and Tom Rhodes.

Jongleurs Battersea (£16 to £17, call 0844 499 4060 or visit jongleurs.com) Friday, October 9 - Andrew Bird, Michael Legge, Bennett Arron, Ian Stone and David Stevenson.

Saturday, October 10 - Early and late show: Andrew Bird, Michael Legge, Bennett Arron, Ian Stone and Hannah Isherwood (only early show).